An announcement about the initiative which is called Clean Energy Standard was made by Governor Andrew Cuomo to tell the people that the New York State Public Service Commission already approved the initiative that will require 50 percent of the stateâ€™s electricity to come from renewable energy sources by the year 2030.

A report issued from Cuomoâ€™s office stated that the initiative will rely on renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power to fight climate change, reduce harmful air pollution, and ensure a diverse and reliable energy supply.

A reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is also one of the aims of the Clean Energy Standard.

â€œNew York has taken bold action to become a national leader in the clean energy economy and is taking concrete, cost-effective steps today to safeguard this stateâ€™s environment for decades to come. This Clean Energy Standard shows you can generate the power necessary for supporting the modern economy while combating climate change. Make no mistake, this is a very real threat that continues to grow by the day and I urge all other states to join us in this fight for our very future,â€ Cuomo said in a press release.

The initiative is scheduled to phase in over the next several years. The first phase requires that 26.31 percent of New Yorkâ€™s total electricity load is from renewable energy sources by 2017. That percentage is scheduled to grow to 30.54 percent in 2021 and finally reach the expected 50 percent by 2030.

The Clean Energy Standard will cost the average residential customer less than $2 a month on their energy bill.

Although a Columbia County resident Eva Herschler said she doesnâ€™t know much about New Yorkâ€™s Clean Energy Standard, she thinks solar energy is beneficial for the environment.

â€œItâ€™s a better alternative,â€ Hershcler said.

â€œI have seen solar panels on homes around the county and knows people who use them,â€ Herschler added.

A man from Michigan who Charles Hoffman agrees that solar energy is a better option both environmentally and in terms of cost efficiency.

â€œI think anything that sets us away from old practices is amazing,â€ said Charles Hoffman.

Hoffman also thinks that New Yorkâ€™s clean energy mandate is great.

â€œThat would be a step in the right direction,â€ he said.

â€œA measure like this is extremely beneficial for the planet and he would consider having renewable energy himself if it wonâ€™t have interrupted service,â€ Dodd Jones of Coxsackie said.

â€œI would if it has a reliable delivery system, sure,â€ he added.

â€œIf this new mandate could save residents money and help make the earth less polluted, then itâ€™s worthwhile,â€ Megan Howell of Catskill said.

â€œIsnâ€™t the Hudson River like so polluted and so disgusting that we canâ€™t even go in it? So that would be nice,â€ Howell said.